About Us

Syracuse Stage is Central New York’s premier professional theatre. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 300 plays in 43 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 90,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays and bold interpretations of classics and musicals featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves over 30,000 students from 24 counties.

Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country. America’s leading actors, directors and designers work and/or have worked at Stage including: Tony Award-winners Lillias White, Chuck Cooper and Elizabeth Franz, Emmy recipients Jean Stapleton, Sam Waterston, John Cullum, James Whitmore, and Ben Gazzara. These visiting artists are supported by a staff of artisans, technicians, educators and administrators who are responsible for all facets of the theatre from building sets, props and costumes to marketing, development and box office.

A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Year after year their support and patronage contribute to the success of the theatre. Additional support from government, foundations, corporations and SyracuseUniversity helps to ensure the continued role of Syracuse Stage as a valued cultural resource for the community.

Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association.

Robert M. Hupp

Syracuse Stage is pleased to announce that Robert M. Hupp has been named the company’s new artistic director.

For the past 16 seasons, Hupp has served as producing artistic director of Arkansas Repertory Theatre (The Rep). He assumes his new role in July, and succeeds Timothy Bond, whose tenure began in 2007.

Hupp has enjoyed a long, distinguished career as an artistic leader, director, and educator. From 1989 to 1999, he was artistic director of the acclaimed Jean Cocteau Repertory in New York. Hupp also served on the board of the Theatre Communications Group, a nonprofit theatrical organization in New York, and has served as a panelist and on-site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Theatre is best served when the artistic leader rolls up his sleeves and engages in the issues that affect all aspects of life in the community,” says Hupp. “Artistic leadership means bringing the creative voice of the theatre to the community. My philosophy of theatre is tied to the idea that we have the rare opportunity to create important communal experiences for our audiences.”

Hupp’s appointment follows a months-long national search conducted by Greg Kandel of Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee, in turn, involved members of Syracuse Stage’s Board of Trustees, senior Syracuse Stage staff, as well as professors and administrators from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (SU:VPA).

“Bob’s record of achievement at Arkansas Rep, combined with his proven commitment to high artistic quality, makes him an excellent choice to lead Syracuse Stage into the future,” says Bob Pomfrey, chair of Syracuse Stage’s board, as well as co-founder, president, and CEO of POMCO. “I think our community will find him engaging as an artist and will come to value him as a contributor to the cultural discourse of Central New York.” Pomfrey also chaired the search committee.

Hupp has overseen steady growth and development at The Rep, widely regarded as the state’s flagship performing arts organization. Since 1999, the company has tripled its budget to $4 million; increased its contributed income and subscriber base by 100 percent and 30 percent, respectively; and broadened its artistic and economic base through various co-productions with other LORT theatres and civic and academic partnerships.

Much of its success lies in exploring the great diversity of the theatrical canon, including Shakespeare, American classics, contemporary plays, and musicals. The Rep’s current season includes a new adaptation of The Little Mermaid, along with a new comedy directed by Jason Alexander (of Seinfeld fame). Last season, The Rep rang in the holidays with the world premiere ofBecause of Winn Dixie, a musical by Duncan Sheik and Nell Benjamin based on the award-winning novel.

“Bob brings strong institutional experience and astute awareness of the varied roles the theatre plays within the broader community,” says Louis G. Marcoccia, board president of Syracuse Stage and executive vice president and CFO of the University. “He has demonstrated his extensive capability as an artistic leader, as an administrator, and as liaison with the community.”

Hupp has held faculty and administrative positions at Dickinson and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where at the latter he helped restructure the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and served as interim chair.

“I am particularly drawn to Syracuse Stage because of its close association with the University,” Hupp says. “I am at home in the academic world, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the educational and cultural life on campus.”

Hupp brings with him a strong commitment to community service, as evidenced by his involvement in Little Rock with the Arts and Cultural Commission, Acansa Arts Festival, Vision Little Rock, and the Little Rock Cultural Attractions Group. He also has been a part of the Creative Economy Advisory Board for the State of Arkansas.

Hupp will be the fifth artistic leader in Syracuse Stage’s 43-year history. He is preceded by Bond, Robert Moss (1996-2007), Tazewell Thompson (1992-95), and Arthur Storch (1974-1992).